"In what capacity am I to be Mr. Romayne's companion?" he asked.

Father Benwell poured himself out another cup of coffee.

"Suppose I tell you first," he suggested, "how circumstances present
Romayne to us as a promising subject for conversion. He is young; still
a single man; not compromised by any illicit connection; romantic,
sensitive, highly cultivated. No near relations are alive to influence
him; and, to my certain knowledge, his estate is not entailed. He has
devoted himself for years past to books, and is collecting materials
for a work of immense research, on the Origin of Religions. Some great
sorrow or remorse--Lord Loring did not mention what it was--has told
seriously on his nervous system, already injured by night study. Add to
this, that he is now within our reach. He has lately returned to London,
and is living quite alone at a private hotel. For some reason which I am
not acquainted with, he keeps away from Vange Abbey--the very place, as
I should have thought, for a studious man."

Penrose began to be interested. "Have you been to the Abbey?" he said.

"I made a little excursion to that part of Yorkshire, Arthur, not
long since. A very pleasant trip--apart from the painful associations
connected with the ruin and profanation of a sacred place. There is no
doubt about the revenues. I know the value of that productive part of
the estate which stretches southward, away from the barren region round
the house. Let us return for a moment to Romayne, and to your position
as his future companion. He has had his books sent to him from Vange,
and has persuaded himself that continued study is the one remedy for
his troubles, whatever they may be. At Lord Loring's suggestion, a
consultation of physicians was held on his case the other day."